Abstract: Systems and methods for performing data transfer between first and second electrical devices are provided. One method may include electrically coupling the first electrical device to a first electrical-optical (E-O) device via a first plurality of electrical lanes, electrically coupling the second electrical device to a second E-O device via a second plurality of electrical lanes, optically coupling the first and second E-O devices via a plurality of optical lanes, and transferring data therebetween via a first optical lane. The method may include monitoring one or more parameters associated with an optical transmitter of the first optical lane, and comparing each parameter to a respective threshold. Responsive to the comparison, the method includes commencing transfer of data between the first and second E-O devices via a second optical lane, and terminating transfer of the data between the first and second E-O devices via the first optical lane.

Abstract: A technique includes, in response to feedback received from ongoing link training with an endpoint device over a serial communication link, a processor identifying a first training set sequence to be communicated as part of the ongoing link training. The technique includes the processor selecting a first state machine of a plurality of state machines; and the processor programming the selected first state machine to communicate the first training set sequence to the serial communication link. The programming of the first state machine includes programming the first state machine with a data pattern that is associated with the first training set sequence and programming the first state machine with a condition to regulate a number of times that the state machine communicates the data pattern to the serial communication link.

Abstract: A technique includes, in response to feedback received from ongoing link training with an endpoint device over a serial communication link, a processor identifying a first training set sequence to be communicated as part of the ongoing link training. The technique includes the processor selecting a first state machine of a plurality of state machines; and the processor programming the selected first state machine to communicate the first training set sequence to the serial communication link. The programming of the first state machine includes programming the first state machine with a data pattern that is associated with the first training set sequence and programming the first state machine with a condition to regulate a number of times that the state machine communicates the data pattern to the serial communication link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing data transfer between first and second electrical devices are provided. One method may include electrically coupling the first electrical device to a first electrical-optical (E-O) device via a first plurality of electrical lanes, electrically coupling the second electrical device to a second E-O device via a second plurality of electrical lanes, optically coupling the first and second E-O devices via a plurality of optical lanes, and transferring data therebetween via a first optical lane. The method may include monitoring one or more parameters associated with an optical transmitter of the first optical lane, and comparing each parameter to a respective threshold. Responsive to the comparison, the method includes commencing transfer of data between the first and second E-O devices via a second optical lane, and terminating transfer of the data between the first and second E-O devices via the first optical lane.

Abstract: In at least some examples, a communication device includes a photo-diode to convert an optical signal into an electrical current and an open-gain trans-impedance amplifier to amplify the electrical current. The communication device also includes a transmission line between the photo-diode and the open-gain trans-impedance amplifier. The open-gain trans-impedance amplifier includes a programmable input impedance that has been matched to an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an optical data interface with electrical forwarded clock are provided. One example optical data interface (220, 320) can include a transmitter (224, 324) having a data input (232, 332) and a clock input (242, 342), and a receiver (226, 326) having a data output (271, 339) and a forwarded clock signal path (254, 376). An optical communication path (248, 348) is coupled between the data input (232, 332) and the data output (271, 339) and configured to communicate a data signal. An electrical communication path (236, 336) is coupled between the clock input (242, 342) and the forwarded clock signal path (254, 376). The electrical communication path (236, 336) is arranged to forward a clock signal used by the receiver (226, 326) as a reference for the optical data signal.

Abstract: In at least some examples, a communication device includes a photo-diode to convert an optical signal into an electrical current and a feedback-based trans-impedance amplifier to amplify the electrical current. The communication device also includes a transmission line between the photo-diode and the feedback-based trans-impedance amplifier. The feedback-based trans-impedance amplifier includes a programmable input impedance that has been matched to an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for a self-biased delay looked loop with delay linearization are provided. One example delay locked loop (DLL) circuit (100, 200) can include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (104, 204, 304) and a bias generator (108, 208) communicatively coupled to an output of the DAC (106, 206, 306). The bias generator (108, 208) is configured to provide a clock signal and a bias signal. A delay control circuit (DCC) (109, 209) is communicatively coupled to the bias generator (108, 208). The DCC (109, 209) is configured to provide a delayed clock signal based on the clock signal and the bias signal. A DAC bias circuit (122, 222, 422) is communicatively coupled to the DAC (106, 206, 306) and configured to provide a feedback signal to the DAC (104, 204, 304) based on the bias signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser can include sending a signal to a driver to decrease an optical power of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser transmitter, and sending a signal to the driver associated with increasing the optical power by a particular amount in response to determining that the optical power is insufficient for reception by a receiver.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser can include sending a signal to a driver to decrease an optical power of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser transmitter, and sending a signal to the driver associated with increasing the optical power by a particular amount in response to determining that the optical power is insufficient for reception by a receiver.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser can include determining an output voltage of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser driver, determining a relationship between the output voltage and a reference voltage, and adjusting an output current of the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser driver based, at least in part, on the determined relationship.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediah are provided for operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. Operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser can include sending a signal to a driver to decrease an optical power of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser transmitter, and sending a signal to the driver associated with increasing the optical power by a particular amount in response to determining that the optical power is insufficient for reception by a receiver.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for a self-biased delay looked loop with delay linearization are provided. One example delay locked loop (DU) circuit (100, 200) can include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (104, 204, 304) and a bias generator (188, 208) communicatively coupled to an output of the DAC (106, 206, 306). The bias generator (108, 206) is configured to provide a clock signal and a bias signal. A delay control circuit (DCC) (109, 209) is communicatively coupled to the bias generator (108, 208). The DCC (109, 209) is configured to provide a delayed clock signal based on the clock signal and the bias signal. A DAC bias circuit (122, 222, 422) is communicatively coupled to the DAC (106, 206, 306) and configured to provide a feedback signal to the DAC (104, 204, 304) based on the bias signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for operating a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser. Operating a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser can include receiving an optical signal from a transmitter, converting the optical signal to a waveform, generating a read capture window based on the waveform, sampling data at a first position in the read capture window, sampling data at a second position in the read capture window, and sending a signal to the transmitter to increase a power level of the optical signal in response to a difference between the sampled data at the first position and the sampled data at the second position exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an optical data interface with electrical forwarded clock are provided. One example optical data interface (220, 320) can include a transmitter (224, 324) having a data input (232, 332) and a clock input (242, 342), and a receiver (226, 326) having a data output (271, 339) and a forwarded clock signal path (254, 376). An optical communication path (248, 348) is coupled between the data input (232, 332) and the data output (271, 339) and configured to communicate a data signal. An electrical communication path (236, 336) is coupled between the clock input (242, 342) and the forwarded clock signal path (254, 376). The electrical communication path (236, 336) is arranged to forward a clock signal used by the receiver (226, 326) as a reference for the optical data signal.

Abstract: In at least same examples, a communication device includes a photo-diode to convert an optical signal into an electrical current and an open-gain trans-impedance amplifier to amplify the electrical current. The communication device also includes a transmission line between the photo-diode and the open-gain trans-impedance amplifier. The open-gain trans-impedance amplifier includes a programmable input impedance that has been matched to an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: A method of serializing a data stream includes passing a series of data words from a source in a first clock domain to a serializer in a second clock domain and passing valid signals from the source to the serializer indicating when each of the data words is available from the source. The serializer divides each of the data words into a plurality of portions for serial transmission. The method also includes synchronizing the serializer and the source based on the first of the valid signals.

Abstract: A bias voltage generation circuit is provided which includes a voltage-to-current translation circuit configured to generate a first current that is positively related to a first voltage. A current mirror circuit is configured to generate a first bias voltage that is negatively related to the first current. The current mirror circuit also generates a second current that is positively related to the first current. Also employed is a current-to-voltage translation circuit configured to generate a second bias voltage that is positively related to the second current.

Abstract: A bias voltage generation circuit is provided which includes a voltage-to-current translation circuit configured to generate a first current that is positively related to a first voltage. A current mirror circuit is configured to generate a first bias voltage that is negatively related to the first current. The current mirror circuit also generates a second current that is positively related to the first current. Also employed is a current-to-voltage translation circuit configured to generate a second bias voltage that is positively related to the second current.

Abstract: A method of serializing a data stream includes passing a series of data words from a source in a first clock domain to a serializer in a second clock domain and passing valid signals from the source to the serializer indicating when each of the data words is available from the source. The serializer divides each of the data words into a plurality of portions for serial transmission. The method also includes synchronizing the serializer and the source based on the first of the valid signals.